Christmas stable conversion kit

ABSTRACT

A Christmas stable conversion kit provides individuals with a way to decorate and become more educated on the biblical story of Christmas and the three Wise Men. The stable conversion kit displays the traditional Nativity scene during the Christmas season, and then the kit converts into a traditional Bethlehem house scene. The device is ideal for consumers looking for a fresh way to decorate during and after Christmas while portraying a more accurate account of the Biblical stories surrounding the holiday. The kit will also serve as a “two in one” teaching device communicating the full story of Jesus at the time of his birth at the stable structure and the boy Jesus in his Bethlehem house being visited by the three Wise Men two years later.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 61/165,959, filed on Apr. 2, 2009, In the United States Patent & Trademark Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention:

The present invention relates to a Christmas display, and more particularly, stable conversion kit for a nativity scene portraying.

During Christmas, many people display a Nativity scene featuring the three Wise Men. Those that carefully examine the accounts in Matthew and Luke learn that the Wise Men did not visit Jesus as a baby at the Manger, rather, they found Jesus as a little boy two years old in his Bethlehem house. The invention brings to light this age old misconception of the Christmas story. People who know this fact usually place the three Wise Men on a shelf somewhere in their house. This invention provides a good creative alternative. It also gives children more of an interest in learning about the history of Christmas by engaging them in a hands-on conversion from the Nativity scene to the Bethlehem house scene.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ARTS:

Numerous innovations for holiday display apparatuses have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the present invention.

A FIRST EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 2,821,621, Issued on Jan. 28, 1958, to Allunario teaches a Christmas stable having a back and roof provided with an aperture therein adjacent the back, a closed receptacle fixed to and upstanding from the back above the roof in the rear of the aperture and having a vertical front wall provided with a star shaped aperture therein above and in the rear of the roof aperture and in a vertical plane therewith, an electric light in the receptacle directly above the star-shaped aperture and from which light rays pass through the star-shaped aperture and the roof aperture downwardly into the stable to illuminate the stable, and a light reflecting liner in the receptacle covering the inner surface of the receptacle and having a light ray passing aperture therein registering with the star-shaped aperture.

A SECOND EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 3,116,096, Issued on Dec. 31, 1963, to Kavanagh teaches a Christmas nativity stable consisting of a lower rectangular chamber, illuminated by conventional electrical means introduced through apertures cut in the rear of the stable and in the ceiling of the lower chamber, such lower chamber housing an affixed nativity tableau, and also consisting of an upper chamber housing a Christmas tree stand concealed by a novel, mobile, gabled roof capable of being slid open and shut for the purposes of inserting a Christmas tree in the Christmas tree stand, thus permitting a display, as a single unit, of the Christmas nativity stable with a Christmas tree on top apparently growing out of the roof of the stable.

A THIRD EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 3,994,079, Issued on Nov. 30, 1976, to Mirman teaches a display device for portraying a scene having a foreground and a background, comprising a base board, one or more background replicas, shaped and designed to fit onto the base board and to represent a background, and one or more foreground replicas, each of the replicas being interchangeable with alternative designs of replicas, and wherein the replicas are arranged to be magnetically attached to the base board.

A FOURTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,253,267, Issued on Mar. 3, 1981, to Kocolowski teaches a housing which takes the form of a model or replica of a larger structure such as the stable which was the birthplace of Jesus. The housing can be assembled and disassembled repeatedly and without the use of permanent fasteners such as nails or glue. The housing includes a generally rectangular base having slots provided near the peripheral edges on the upper surface thereof. Front and rear panel members are respectively inserted into a parallel pair of slots along the longer dimension of the base. A pair of side members is respectively inserted into a second pair of parallel slots disposed along the shorter dimension of the base. The vertical edges of the panel and side members are respectively received within corresponding slots of four corner members wherein each corner member includes a pair of transversely oriented slots and an inclined upper surface. First and second generally rectangular, peaked roof members are each provided with a pair of parallel slots on the lower surfaces thereof and along the longer dimensions thereof. The upper edges of the panel members extend above the inclined surfaces of the corner members and are received within the corresponding slots of the roof members in press-fit frictional engagement therewith. The spacing of the roof member slots pretensions and urges the panel members toward one another, and the engagement of the inclined surfaces with the sloped roof members precludes horizontal translation of the assembled corner members.

A FIFTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,344,243, Issued on Aug. 17, 1982, to Reszka teaches an animated display showing the Nativity scene. Human figures representing the Wise

Men, shepherds, etc., move past the crib containing the infant Jesus. Each figure pauses, turns towards the crib, bows, turns back, and then moves away. The pausing action is created by a drive gear with some missing teeth. The turning action is created by two racks which mesh sequentially with a gear on which each figure is mounted. The bowing motion is created by a hinge mounting for each figure, and a push-rod actuation mechanism.

A SIXTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,615,883, Issued on Apr. 1, 1997, to Stevens teaches a puzzle having puzzle figurines, a frame, a base, and a hinge. The puzzle figurines altogether create a specific theme and can stand in a perpendicular position as figurines and can also lay in a horizontal position as puzzle pieces—altogether joining into a puzzle formation. The frame is shaped specifically to correlate with the theme of puzzle figurines. The frame surrounds all puzzle figurines to hold them in their assembled position. The base supports puzzle figurines and frame in their assembled position. The hinge at the bottom edge of base and frame holds the frame and the puzzle figurines in their assembled position onto base. Hinge also enables frame to lift to a perpendicular position freeing puzzle figurines from their assembled position. The frame stands alone in its perpendicular position in back of base to create an appropriate background for the figurines and along with base creates an appropriate setting for the figurines in their perpendicular position. Together the base, frame, and hinge create a holding and display apparatus for puzzle figurines in their horizontal and perpendicular positions.

A SEVENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,980,356, Issued on Nov. 9, 1999, to Meng-Suen teaches a magnetic driving mechanism for a moving display which includes a guide track secured to a base of the display, a magnet driver arm rotatably supported on the base, and a driving assembly for rotating the driver. A magnet support is mounted in a slot of the driver and capable of radial and rotational movement as it travels in the guide track. A turning mechanism allows the magnet support to turn as it travels in the guide track.

AN EIGHTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No. 20010013188, Published on Aug. 16, 2001, to Hall teaches collapsible decorative figurines comprising multiple interconnected sections. Locking and folding provisions are provided on each decorative figure so that no disassembly is required to collapse the figures. Several embodiments collapse into a box for storage when not in use. One embodiment is a multiple figure display wherein one of the figures collapses into a box in which the other decorative figures of the display, when collapsed, are stored.

A NINTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No. 20080050540, Published on Feb. 28, 2008, to Christopher et al. teaches display arrangements and assemblies having multiple layers. The base layer has a color image of non-thermochromic ink, a second layer includes a thermochromic ink, and a third layer includes a thermochromic ink forming an image visible on top of the second layer. The second and third layers largely mask the non-thermochromic ink from view. Cut-out stenciled images are cut through the second and third layer so that the non-thermochromic colors of the base layer are visible through them. At a lower temperature, the thermochromic inks are visible as well as the non-thermochromic ink colors through the cut-out stenciled image areas. At a higher, color-changing temperature, the thermochromic inks become sufficiently transparent that the non-thermochromic colors of the base layer are visible.

A TENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. D564,936, Issued on Mar. 25, 2008, to Davis teaches an ornamental design for a Nativity scene decoration including Santa Claus, as shown and described.

AN ELEVENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. D587,161, Issued on Feb. 24, 2009, to Davis teaches an ornamental design for a Nativity scene decoration including Santa Claus and Rudolph, as shown and described.

A TWELFTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No. 20090181134, Published on Jul. 16, 2009, to Lefevre teaches a keepsake cake kit which includes at least one of a cake mix for making a cake having a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape, and a pre-made cake having a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape. A base is provided for supporting at least one of such cake made from such cake mix and such pre-made cake. A covering member is releasably securable to such base for covering such base and such at least one of such cake made from such cake mix and such pre-made cake supported on such base. Edible decorations are included for decorating at least one of such cake made from such cake mix and such pre-made cake. At least one keepsake decoration which is disposable on such at least one of such cake made from such cake mix and such pre-made cake is also included in the kit.

It is apparent now that numerous innovations for holiday display apparatuses have been provided in the prior art that are adequate for various purposes. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, accordingly, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

AN OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a scene portraying device that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a scene portraying device that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide scene portraying device that is simple to use.

BRIEFLY STATED, STILL YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a scene portraying device which enables individuals with a way to decorate and become more educated on the biblical story of Christmas and the three Wise Men. The present invention displays the traditional Nativity scene during the Christmas season, and then it converts into a traditional Bethlehem house scene. The device is ideal for consumers looking for a fresh way to decorate during and after Christmas while portraying a more accurate account of the Biblical stories surrounding the holiday. The invention will also serve as a “two in one” teaching device communicating the full story of Jesus at the time of his birth at the stable and the boy Jesus in his Bethlehem house being visited by the three Wise Men two years later.

The novel features which are considered characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The figures of the drawings are briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a Stable Conversion Kit for Nativity scene display;

FIG. 1B is a view of a pasture/countryside backdrop;

FIG. 1C is a view of a Bethlehem town backdrop;

FIG. 1D is a view of a set of animal figurines;

FIG. 1E is a view of three camels;

FIG. 1F is a view of Joseph and Mary and little boy Jesus;

FIG. 1G is a view of baby Jesus in the cradle;

FIG. 1H is a view of town people

FIG. 1I is a view of three wise men

FIG. 1J is a view of three dimensional trees

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the convertible stable structure used in the Nativity scene display;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the convertible stable structure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the various components for assembling the convertible stable structure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a Bethlehem house scene display; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the dwelling structure in the Bethlehem house scene display, converted from most of the components of the convertible stable structure (except not using the ridge member).

REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING

-   1 Christmas stable conversion kit -   110 scene portraying device -   112 Nativity scene display -   114 pasture/countryside backdrop -   116 flat surface -   118 stable structure -   120 figurine of Mary -   122 figurine of Joseph -   124 figurine of baby Jesus -   126 figurine of shepherd -   128 figurine of sheep -   130 figurine of donkey -   132 flat base -   134 rectangular shaped framework -   136 wall -   138 window opening -   140 solid wall -   142 deck -   144 roof segment -   146 ridge member -   148 ladder -   150 but -   152 doorway -   154 staircase -   156 Bethlehem house scene display -   158 Bethlehem town backdrop -   160 dwelling structure -   162 figurine of boy Jesus -   164 figurine of Wise Man -   166 figurine of Town person -   168 figurine of camel -   170 figurine of dog -   172 roof of but 150 -   174 Lighted battery powered stars -   178 Speaker for CD player -   180 Tree dimensional trees

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 6, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1J are a kit 1 including two backdrops, human being figurines, animal figurines, three dimensional trees and a convertible stable structure. A scene portraying device 110 includes a Nativity scene display 112 which comprises a pasture/countryside backdrop 114 placed upon a flat surface 116. The convertible stable structure 118 is placed upon the flat surface 116 in front of the backdrop 114. A figurine of Mary 120 is placed within the stable structure 118. A figurine of Joseph 122 is placed within the stable structure 118. A figurine of baby Jesus 124 is placed within the stable structure 118. Two figurines of shepherds 126 are placed upon the flat surface 116 in front of the convertible stable structure 118. Three animal figurines of sheep 128 are placed upon the flat surface 116 in front of the stable structure 118. An animal figurine of a donkey 130 is placed upon the flat surface 116 in front of the stable structure 118. This specific arrangement defines a biblical Christmas story.

The convertible stable structure 118, as best shown in FIGS. 3-4, comprises a flat base 132. A rectangular shaped framework 134 is secured onto a right side of the flat base 132.

Three walls 136 with each having a window opening 138 are provided. One of the walls 136 is supported in a removable manner in a right short side of the framework 134 on the flat base 132, while the other two walls 136 are supported in a removable manner in a rear long side of the framework 134 on the flat base 132.

A solid wall 140 is supported in a removable manner in a left short side of the framework 134 on the flat base 132. A deck 142 is supported in a removable manner on right top side of the framework 134. Two roof segments 144 are supported in a removable manner on left and right top ends of the framework 134. A ridge member 146 is supported in a removable manner between the two roof segments 144 to form a gable roof configuration. A ladder 148 is placed within the framework 134 to extend up between the flat base 132 and the deck 142. A but 150 having a doorway 152 is provided. The but 150 is positioned on the flat base 132 to left of the solid wall 140, with the doorway 152 of the but 150 facing forward. A staircase 154 is placed on the flat base 132 against the left side of the but 150.

The scene portraying device 110, as shown in FIG. 5, is for a Bethlehem house scene display 156 which comprises a Bethlehem town backdrop 158 placed upon the flat surface 116. A dwelling structure 160 (same a but 150) is placed upon the flat surface 116 in front of the Bethlehem town backdrop 158. The figurine of Mary 120 is placed within the dwelling structure 160. The figurine of Joseph 122 is placed within the dwelling structure 160. A figurine of two year old boy Jesus 162 is placed within the dwelling structure 160. The figurines of Three Wise

Men 164 are placed upon the flat surface 116 in front of the dwelling structure 160. Two figurines of town people 166 are placed upon left side of the dwelling structure 160. Three figurines of camels 168 are placed upon the flat surface 116 in front of the dwelling structure 160. The figurine of the donkey 130 is placed upon the flat surface 116 in front of the dwelling structure 160. Two figurines of dogs 170 are placed upon the flat surface 116 in front of the dwelling structure 160.

The dwelling structure 160, as best shown in FIG. 6, comprises the flat base 132. The rectangular shaped framework 134 is secured onto a right side of the flat base 132. The three walls 136 with each having the window opening 138 are provided. One of the walls 136 is supported in a removable manner in a right short side of the framework 134 on the flat base 132, while the other two walls 136 are supported in a removable manner in a rear long side of the framework 134 on the flat base 132. The solid wall 140 is supported in a removable manner in a left short side of the framework 134 on the flat base 132. The two roof segments 144 are supported in a removable manner on left and right top of the framework 134 to form a flat roof configuration. The but 150 having the doorway 152 is provided. The but 150 is positioned on the right roof segment 144, with the doorway 152 of the but 150 facing to the left. The ladder 148 is placed on the left roof segment 144 to extend up to roof 172 of the but 150. The staircase 154 is placed on the flat base 132 against the solid wall 140. This specific arrangement defines a biblical Three Wise Men story.

The components of the stable structure 118 and the dwelling structure 160 are utilized for construction thereof, except for the deck 142 and the ridge member 146 which are only used for the stable structure 118.

The scene portraying device 110 is used to showcase the distinction between the Nativity scene display 112 and the Bethlehem house scene display 156. The device 110 includes a stable structure 118 which converts into a dwelling structure 160. The device 110 can be in the form of a conversion kit 1 that would include all of the components listed above. All of the figurines would be four to seven inches tall made out of wood, plastic or ceramic. Larger or smaller sizes can also be utilized. The animal and human being figurines can be talking figurines or dolls, robotic figurines or dolls, electronic figurines or dolls, movable figurines or dolls or animated figurines or dolls.

The kit 1 will allow the stable structure 118 to change into the typical dwelling structure 160 common during the childhood of Jesus. It would be about eight to fourteen inches tall and up to sixteen inches long. Larger or smaller sizes can also be utilized. The kit 1 can also include three set of gifts (animal figurines, human being figurines, and stable structure), four indigenous three dimensional trees 180 for landscaping, two backdrops 114, 158, optional lighting battery powered stars 174, and an optional electronic CD player with speaker 178 for playing Christmas musical songs and playing different oral biblical stories. The kit can be set up with lighting system. The optional lighting battery powered stars can be flickering, strobing, flashing type, light chasing pattern type or synchronized rolling fashion type.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodiments of a scene portraying device, accordingly it is not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention. 

1. A Christmas stable conversion kit for a biblical scene display's arrangement which comprises: a) a pasture/countryside backdrop placed upon a flat surface; b) a convertible stable structure placed upon the flat surface in front of said backdrop; c) a figurine of Mary placed within said stable structure; d) a figurine of Joseph placed within said stable structure; e) a figurine of baby Jesus placed within said stable structure; f) two figurines of shepherds placed upon the flat surface in front of said stable structure; g) three figurines of sheep placed upon the flat surface in front of said stable structure; and h) a figurine of a donkey placed upon the flat surface in front of said stable structure, wherein this biblical scene specific display's arrangement defines a biblical nativity Christmas story.
 2. The kit as recited in claim 1, wherein said convertible stable structure further comprises: a) a flat base; b) a rectangular shaped framework secured onto a right side of said flat base; c) three walls with each having a window opening, wherein one of said walls is supported in a removable manner in a right short side of said framework on said flat base, while said other two walls are supported in a removable manner in a rear long side of said framework on said flat base; d) a solid wall supported in a removable manner in a left short side of said framework on said flat base; e) a deck supported in a removable manner on right top side of said framework; f) two roof segments supported in a removable manner on left and right top ends of said framework; g) a ridge member supported in a removable manner between said two roof segments to form a gable roof configuration; h) a ladder placed within said framework to extend up between said flat base and said deck; i) a but having a doorway, said but positioned on said flat base to left of said solid wall, with said doorway of said but facing forward; and j) a staircase placed on said flat base against the left side of said hut.
 3. A Christmas stable conversion kit for a biblical scene display's arrangement which comprises: a) a Bethlehem town backdrop placed upon a flat surface; b) a dwelling structure placed upon the flat surface in front of said backdrop; c) a figurine of Mary placed within said dwelling structure; d) a figurine of Joseph placed within said dwelling structure; e) a figurine of two year old boy Jesus placed within said dwelling structure; f) three figurines of Wise Men placed upon the flat surface in front of said dwelling structure; g) two figurines of town people placed upon left side of said dwelling structure; h) three animal figurines of camels placed upon the flat surface in front of said dwelling structure; i) an animal figurine of a donkey placed upon the flat surface in front of said dwelling structure; and j) two animal figurines of dogs placed upon the flat surface in front of said dwelling structure, wherein this biblical scene specific display's arrangement defines a biblical Three Wise Men story.
 4. The kit as recited in claim 3, wherein said dwelling structure further comprises: a) a flat base; b) a rectangular shaped framework secured onto a right side of said flat base; c) three walls with each having a window opening, wherein one of said walls is supported in a removable manner in a right short side of said framework on said flat base, while said other two walls are supported in a removable manner in a rear long side of said framework on said flat base; d) a solid wall supported in a removable manner in a left short side of said framework on said flat base; e) two roof segments supported in a removable manner on left and right top of said framework to form a flat roof configuration; f) a but having a doorway, said but positioned on said right roof segment, with said doorway of said but facing to the left; g) a ladder placed on said left roof segment to extend up to roof of said hut; and h) a staircase placed on said flat base against said solid wall.
 5. The kit as recited in claim 2, wherein the components of said stable structure and said dwelling structure are interchangeably utilized for construction thereof, except for said ridge member which is only used for said stable structure.
 6. The kit as recited in claim 1, wherein the figurines are selected from a group consisting of talking figurines, robotic figurines, and movable figurines.
 7. The kit as recited in claim 3, wherein the figurines are selected from a group consisting of talking figurines, robotic figuring, and movable figurines.
 8. The kit as recited in claim 1, wherein the backdrop can have lighting battery operated stars which is selected from a group of flickering type, strobbing type, flashing type, light chasing pattern type and synchronized rolling fashion type.
 9. The kit as recited in claim 3, wherein the backdrop can have lighting battery operated stars which is selected from a group of flickering type, strobbing type, flashing type, light chasing pattern type and synchronized rolling fashion type.
 10. The kit as recited in claim 1, further comprises a speaker with a CD player for playing biblical oral stories.
 11. The kit as recited in claim 3, further comprises a speaker with a CD player for playing biblical oral stories.
 12. The kit as recited in claim 1, wherein the figurines are made of plastic, wood or ceramic.
 13. The kit as recited in claim 3, wherein the figurines are made of plastic, wood or ceramic. 